Foundry United Methodist Church’s Senior Pastor to Retire

WASHINGTON, DC – Dean Snyder, senior pastor of Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, DC, has announced that he will retire next year. He told the Foundry congregation on April 28 that he was announcing his retirement effective July 2014 so that local church and denominational officials “will have adequate time to consult about Foundry’s next senior pastor and we will be able to have a well-planned and coordinated transition.”

During the past decade Foundry Church has helped lead efforts to end homelessness in Washington, DC, been active in global development especially in Haiti, supported efforts by the Children’s Defense Fund to end the cradle-to-prison pipeline among African-American and Hispanic males, and advocated for an end to discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender within its denomination. In a 2010 church conference, Foundry members voted 367 to 8 to establish a policy of marriage equality for those being married at Foundry Church.

The 1200+ member congregation has also become more culturally and ethnically diverse and has experienced an increased participation by young adults and families with children.

Snyder told the church, which is preparing to celebrate its 200th anniversary from August 2014 to July 2015, that he has decided to retire for personal and pastoral reasons. “As Foundry prepares to celebrate its 200th anniversary beginning September 2014, I believe it will be exciting for Foundry to begin its third century with the new energy and vision that comes with a new senior pastor,” he said.

When he retires in 2014, Snyder’s 12-year tenure will be the third longest of any senior pastor serving Foundry. It will also conclude 42 years of full-time service as a United Methodist minister.